yes to long skirts

so glad long skirts are here to stay. i've become quite attached to mine, even in these hot summer months. i love how versatile they are - just look at these photos. paired with a tailored button down or crisp white tee or layered with an oversize sweater or leather jacket, i'm loving these looks.

older women: fashion icons

Advanced Style: Age and Beautyfrom Ari Cohen on Nowness.com.

i think this video is incredibly awesome. not just because i adore iris apfel but also because my very own mother sent it to me with the words "i want to be like this!" written beneath it. mom, you've always had great style and certainly always pushed me to break fashion molds and strike out on my own. we could all take a tip from these women. fashion is supposed to be fun!

Photographer (and blog writer behind this video) Ari Seth Cohen said this: "I not only want to show that older women are vital and creative, but also to show people [they need not be] afraid of aging—and personal style is a great way to showcase this."

yes! thankfully, i too have women in my life who demonstrate the exuberance, wisdom, and freedom that come with age - at 40, 50, 60, 70 or beyond. more oft than not, i find myself more inspired by images of my Nana in the '50's with her short pixie cut or my mom sporting a cinched boatneck sheath and gorgeous bangles in the '80's than i am by the trends shouting from store windows.

what do you think? where you get your fashion inspiration?

a good laugh: whole foods

maybe i'm the last person who's seen this, but this video made me crack up. our local whole foods was just redone, and on opening day, my mom and i were there amidst all the craziness (they had even hired police to traffic all the organic-crazed, quinoa-obsessed soccer moms. hilarious.).

indian summer

loving this dress from EmersonMade's India collection. that is all!

favorite etsy finds

i thought today that i'd share a roundup of my favorite etsy finds as of late. click on images for their etsy shops. right now, i'm really wanting that WWII era globe. perfect for our little entryway table!

on my way home from the lake

thankful for cold, cold Green Bay water to fling myself into on sunny 80 degree days
thankful for amazing Wagon Trail brownies (absolutely delicious every. single. year.)
thankful for cute texts from a husband who misses me but also loves me enough to let me go on vacation without him
thankful for a flight cancellation that led to a 5 hour car trip with my dad and great conversation about jobs, our family, and what matters most
thankful for lost luggage that allowed me a mini shopping spree on the airline's tab (hello, new jeans!)
thankful for early morning coffee in the quiet
thankful for our deck which gets just the right amount of sunlight and gives me the feeling i'm in my own treehouse in the woods
thankful for sweet time with my sisters who seem to be funnier and more fashionable every year
thankful for whatever law forbids chain restaurants or shopping malls from popping up in Door County
thankful for walks with my mom
thankful for my nana and gampy who birthed this wonderful, large family and gifted me 24 years of summers at my favorite place on earth

thought for today

we must accept that this creative pulse within us is God's creative pulse itself

- joseph chilton pearce

officially obsessed

if anyone asks, i always freely admit to being less than skilled in the kitchen department. have you had my cooking? i didn't think so. and that's because it consists of mostly three food groups: cereal, salad, and chocolate. er... i guess none of those count as 'cooking' anyway.

it's really unfair to be the only woman in your family who doesn't have a natural aptitude for putting ingredients together. so when it came to registering for the wedding, i was determined to register for things that would magically transform me into a culinary goddess... and what is more necessary for a a culinary goddess than the beloved, widely sought-after and dare i say coveted KitchenAid Mixer? nothing, my friends. there is nothing more necessary. at least to me.

and yesterday, i arrived home to find a large brown box waiting on our front porch. i could barely get the door open while juggling my purse, computer, said box, and excitement. KitchenAid, you've finally come! i had struggled for maybe hours, trying to decide upon the color of my mixer. normally i would have gone with white or chrome (you know how i like my neutrals). but for this precious tool i decided to go wild - i got the color ice (shown above!). i love it. it's so fun and flirty - can a mixer flirt? mine can! when i took it out of the box and placed it on my counter, i immediately wanted to throw on a cute apron and whip something fabulous up. problem - no idea what to whip up or how to whip it. nevertheless, i was convinced my culinary skills were forever changed.

and that night - i made... whipped cream! it was fluffy. it was sweet. it was just 3 ingredients. it was what i could handle. and spooned atop a warm chocolate dessert, it was heaven. i made whipped cream! perhaps tomorrow will bring bigger KitchenAid adventures. if you have a good KitchenAid recipe, please do pass it along!

ps - how awesome are these? i want one! i know... i'm a little crazed about the Mixer today.

happy weekend!

don't you just love summer weekends? i am really looking forward to this one. i finally am beginning to feel a bit more settled in our newlywed digs. we only need a few more things, some photos on the walls, and one big dinner party with friends. it's been completely wonderful to feel 'home' even among the mess just because m comes home every evening after work, and i get to run up and plant a big, wet one on him. i love that.

so the weekend started with the Harry Potter premier last night at midnight! did anyone else go? wasn't it awesome? although i feel a bit sad - it's the end of an era! i remember reading the first book lying in a hammock one summer at our summer house in Wisconsin. those books are the kind of reading you can just fall into for an afternoon - just magical (!). i'm headed to Wisconsin next week actually (sans m so i'll be a bit sad), and i think i'm going to reread HP 7.

tomorrow i am throwing a little soiree for my dear little sis who is sadly leaving us to finish school in Illinois. you go, girl! one day, kirby is going to be traveling the world, caring for the impoverished, and making a difference - all while cooking incredible meals. at least that's what i think. we'll be celebrating her in style with some cornhole in our backyard and some sweet summer foods (i've been obsessing over watermelon this year!).

hope your weekend is full of popsicles and slip n slides!

minuit a paris

has anyone seen this yet? it's at the top of my list for summer movies (besides the premier of Harry Potter this thursday night!). i'm just a bit nervous that marion cotillard will convince me i must move to the city of light... not too sure how the new hubs will feel about that.

rugs

rugs. i've always hated them. floral print after oriental print after floral print - bleh. rather than bring lightness and cohesion to a room, rugs often turn an otherwise clean design into a muddled mess. but. there are other ways! and perhaps for the first time (because for the first time i actually have a home to decorate) i'm taking note.

rugs have come a long way from the suburban country home where everything is printed, printed, printed. i am loving the bold statements in these rooms. a rug can really change a space, can it not?

i'm looking for one long runner and at least one, maybe two, area rugs for our dining and living rooms. what do you think? i have a pretty much blank slate - white walls, white couch, no throw pillows yet, wood barn table, antique wood baker's table. i'm usually a woman in love with soft neutrals, but i feel the time may have come to choose something bold.

nesting

back from the honeymoon and fam vaca with my (brand new!) family, i'm in nesting mode! i've been scouring pinterest for images, and the above room has me hooked. our small room doesn't have nearly enough natural light, so i'm finding creative ways to make the room appear brighter. anyone have any suggestions?

we are also in the market for a few essential furniture pieces. i've been frequenting circa and perusing etsy for antiques. i'd love to hear any suggestions you may have! i found this beautiful vintage natural wood desk a year ago, and i adored it so much we used it at the wedding for our guest book table.

i can't wait to share more of the wedding and honeymoon with you all. i'm not able to publish wedding photos yet, so honeymoon may come first!

thanks for sticking with me, readers.

how i've missed this

y'all, how my heart has missed this! i realized quickly once i had to step away from blogging that i am actually quite passionate about blogging. i love writing. i love beautiful images. i love recording life's little nuances and happenings. i love the blogging community. i am inspired here.

so. goodness. lots to catch you up on!

1. ArtQuiver closed. sad day.
2. received beautiful painting from ArtQuiver closing. happy day.
3. got a new job at an events planning firm. woo woo!
4. became briefly overwhelmed by new job, new schedule, and soon-to-be new life. boo hoo!
5. got back on the horse and decided to woman-up to the big bad world.
6. our venue accidentally double booked our wedding. (yes, yes less than a month before the big day)
7. crisis ensued. flexed my muscles, waited patiently (sorta) and...
8. got the venue! wedding back on!
9. .... oops forgot i was supposed to be training for a half marathon.
10. had bachelorette party and had way too much fun. perhaps some photos will make it to this here blog.
11. ran ten miles (i'm still alive!). threw up in front lawn... (i'm still alive!)

so i'm headed to philly this weekend with my two best friends to run the half marathon (they're hoping to make great times. i'm hoping to finish! but hey, i'll be proud of that accomplishment). anyone have any rockin' things to do while we're there?

next up, wedding details to fill you in on! so close, loves!

my sister, m, and i saw sanders in concert a couple of months ago. i love this song. if you have the chance to see him live ever, i highly recommend it. it wasn't just music; it was an experience.

Easton in The Knot

We are in The Knot Summer 2011! It was so exciting to see these images in print! We partnered with BHLDN to style these gorgeous tablescapes, Pat's Floral Designs provided the blooms, and Rock, Paper, Scissors designed all the printed materials. All of the photos here by Jen Fariello. I love all the details! So fun and fresh.

Charlottesville Free Wedding Project

i am so excited to announce a really sweet project i will be working on with Easton. we will be coordinating a wedding this fall through the Charlottesville Free Wedding Project! we are now accepting submissions for brides-to-be in cville. the chosen bride will receive an absolutely exquisite wedding - all. for. free!

if you are a bride-to-be or would like to nominate a bride-to-be, please keep reading for all the fabulous details!

The winning couple’s wedding will take place at picturesque King Family Vineyards in Crozet, Virginia nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville. Nationally recognized event coordinators of Easton Events will provide day-of-event coordination, and your caterer will be Mark Hahn and Harvest Moon Catering. Carpe Donut and Gearhart’s Chocolates will be taking care of desserts and favors. Face Value Studio & Salon is going to make the bride look beautiful and the talented photographers Sarah Cramer, Jen Fariello, and Jack Looney will document the event. Rock Paper Scissors is creating the special paper items and both Pat’s Floral Designs and Floral Images will work together to provide the floral designs. DJ Derek Tobler will emcee the event, Blue Ridge Light Forms is once again enhancing the ambiance, and Albemarle Vintage Limousine is offering vintage transportation for the couple.

i am so excited to see this wedding happen for one special couple. i mean, look at all those amazing vendors! to submit your story, please go here.

new digs!

i'm officially a week into my new job and am having a wonderful time! thanks for all the encouraging words last week! where am i working, you ask? i've been given the great privilege of working for Easton Events, a premier event planning firm. i am beyond thrilled. we handle mostly weddings and some corporate events in the mid-atlantic region and every single one is simply stunning. it's quite ironic timing given my wedding is in just two short months, but c'est la vie!

i feel so blessed to be part of a hard-working team of creative women. i will try to throw in some Easton happenings on this blog from time to time; in the meantime, check out their fabulous portfolio!

though i may update this blog a bit less, you will be able to see me blogging pretty often for Easton here.

change

hello dearies! so i've been quite absent from the blogosphere over these past few weeks. i do apologize. a lot has changed in this month of march, and i've had to take some time off the blog to process, breathe deeply, and prepare for what is next.

change can be a terrifying thing. i dreaded it with almost debilitating fear when i was young (yes, i was one of 'those' children), leading to months of melodramatic tears when my family moved during elementary school. it seems laughable now, but i remember how real the despair felt back then. gradually, i learned to cope, then tolerate, and now, finally, to relish in change. perhaps it is a normal part of maturing or perhaps it's part of growing up in a world where change is instantaneous and the need for more, for growth, for excitement saturates every minute of our lives if we allow it. i am trying to find the balance these days - to be satisfied in who God has made me, to be present in my own life, to pause. but also to yearn, to grow, to bring flourishing where there was none, to see broken places and to fix them.

spring, being the very essence of change, seemed a fitting time for my life to embrace some newness. so, without any effort on my part, i was flung from a daily routine i knew well and into something unknown. the start-up i was working for announced its closing, and i began to look for the next adventure!

through a crazy, providential series of events, within a week i found myself interviewing with a fabulous, successful company in an industry i have come to love for a job in which i saw myself being challenged and creatively inspired. and then i got the job. i could hardly wrap my head around it! m and i needed to process, celebrate God's provision, and dream up what life might hold next. oh, and finish planning our wedding in the midst of it!

i'm embracing this change and the big one that will come in june, for i truly believe that it's in those places of uncertainty and challenge that we grow - grow in our capacity to love, to create, to provide new thoughts, new actions, and new words to a world in constant need. small changes are just part of this larger story, right?

i'm not certain what this new career choice will mean for this little blog, so i appreciate you all reading, inspiring, and encouraging me throughout the way! it's been so sweet to connect and reconnect with many of you. i'll let you know more details once i've begun this new chapter. i am excited for what comes next!

chicago children's choir

just had to share the new blackberry commercial featuring my aunt josephine! isn't she gorgeous? she possesses such amazing talent and passion. composer, conductor, creative director (not to mention mother to two cuties - our flower girl and ring bearer!). she is an extremely accomplished woman, and she's changing kids' lives through music every single day. i'm blessed to know her.

jo, you're a beautiful woman. i can't wait to walk down the aisle to your playing!

for the love of neutrals

eggshell, ivory, cream, champagne. i love neutrals. they largely define our wedding color palette, and they largely consume our registry. so i had to repost this stunning australian home captured by the style files. and you know my obsession with bathtubs? see the last photo. right out of a countryside dream!

joyeuse photography

happy monday, dears! over the weekend, m and i pretended to be models for a bohemian-styled photoshoot with joyeuse photography. (isn't m handsome? and the light!) it was so much fun to work with tahni - photographer, stylist (she handmade the boutonniere and headpiece!), world traveler, visionary - the girl is a powerhouse. and, ahem, her own wedding was none other than Green Wedding Shoes most popular wedding of the year! we were so glad to help her business, and i think it helped us feel more comfortable in front of a camera (less than 3 months until our big day!).

if you are a creative, vintage, or bohemian bride-to-be and would like to work with someone who shares your unique vision, i cannot recommend tahni more! head over to her website to check out more of her work (and to enter her anthropologie giveaway!).

bathing beauties

one shoulder

i just love how one piece bathing suits are coming back in style with a vengeance! these gorgeous numbers are enough to convince me that a one piece might be a good buy before the honeymoon!

black and white

red, black

sweet bridesmaid gifts

one of my favorite parts of the wedding celebration is the bridal party. all of your best girlfriends in one place at one time, dressed fabulously, dancing the night away. and since most of my bridesmaids are far (as in far side of the world! hello, readers in italy and africa!), i am especially excited for my wedding weekend. just the opportunity to share a meal, toast our friendships, and share in the blessing of the wedding ceremony together - i can hardly wait.

each of my friends is a beautiful, trusted lifelong friend. i plan to honor each of them in her own unique way with a small gift. though i can't reveal what i decided to get each of my maids, i thought i'd share some ideas for you brides!

this fashion print is just so sweet. and this etsy artist will custom draw portraits for you in the image of your dear friends!

floral clutch, packable perfume, floral hairpin, eyelashes, lip glaze, hair bow, rings, cloth bag

i love these sweet clutches that you can fill with fun little accessories. bonus: you can be certain no maid is found without a stylish bag with all her essentials - lip gloss, blotting papers, tissues, mints, etc!


this print is simple but beautiful. i love it!

do any of you brides have any other ideas? i'd love to hear them!

Bottega Veneta

i am smitten with this Bottega Veneta number for Fall 2011. the lace, the subtle fringe, the stripes! captured, of course, by The Sartorialist.